Brian Stanley TD accuses Government of misleading public on water charges

The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, has accused the Government of having misled the public regarding the likely level of water charges to be imposed on households. He also made the point that the current proposed charges are only an interim measure and they are likely to be highly than that once all homes are metered.

Deputy Stanley said: “When questioned regarding the average household charge before the elections, An Taoiseach said that it would be around €240 per annum. It is now transpires that the average will be €278. Even that conceals the fact that many will pay vastly more than that after 2016 when the average costs to be recouped in order to run Irish Water will rise to €594.

“I forecast that this would end up being close to the actual charge once the EU insists on all costs connected to water having to be paid by the consumer, as is contained within the EU Water Directive.

“The full impact of the charges will be hidden until the allowances proposed today are removed. There is no provision for allowances for those most in need including people with disabilities.”